ORDER DENYING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO DECERTIFY THE CLASS; GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT; GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT AS TO MAGDALENO AND DENYING AS TO COHICK AND ACKEL
Re: Dkt. Nos. 152, 154, 155
INTRODUCTION
This is a classwide misclassification ease involving vendors who perform property preservation services in California for Field Asset Services, Inc. I previously granted plaintiffs’ renewed motion for class certification after they “limitfed] the class to a group of vendors over which FAS has a uniform right of control.” Certification Order at 2 (Dkt. No. 85). FAS now moves to decertify the class, and for summary judgment as to one of the named plaintiffs and two absent class members. Plaintiffs move for partial summary judgment as to their status as employees under the law, and their resulting entitlement to expenses and overtime pay.
While FAS again highlights manageability concerns that complicate class treatment, as it has throughout this litigation, those concerns are not substantial enough to justify decertifying the class. The class meets the requirements of Rule 23 and discovery has not revealed otherwise. The overwhelming weight of the evidence supports a finding that FAS retained and, more often than not, actually exercised a right to control the manner and means of the vendors’ work. While some of the secondary factors for evaluating proper classification fall in FAS’s favor, they cannot overcome the powerful evidence of control that establishes that the vendors are employees as a matter of law. A reasonable jury could not return a verdict for FAS on that issue. Accordingly, plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment is GRANTED as to FAS’s affirmative defense that the vendors are independent contractors and as to its liability for failing to pay overtime and business expenses. FAS’s motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to purported class member Julia Magdaleno, but DENIED as to Matthew Cohick and Eric Ackel.
BACKGROUND
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
A. FAS’s Business Model
FAS is a property preservation, maintenance, and repair services company for
FAS owns the contracts with its property-owner clients and serves as the intermediary between clients and vendors — forbidding clients from contacting Vendors and hiring them directly. Hunter Decl. ¶ 6; Hunter Dep. at 66:3-5 (“Generally the point of contact for the vendor would be FAS, as FAS is facilitating the vendor relationship on behalf of the client.”); Pl.’s Mot. for Partial Summary J. at 3 (“MPSJ”)(Dkt. No. 155). A “company”
The Vendor Qualification Packets contain instructions for the standard services performed by vendors,
Later versions of the VQP explicitly designate vendors as “independent contractors,” and include additional provisions. E.g., 2011 VQP (Dkt. No. 155-38 at 7). A Lien Provision precludes vendors from filing liens on “FAS maintained properties].” Id. (Dkt. No. 155-38 at 6). A Termination Provision states, “[t]he relationship between you or your company and FAS may be terminated by either you or FAS at any time and for any reason, with or without notice.” Id. (Dkt. No. 155-38 at 8). The Master Services Agreement, which FAS began using in 2014, provides an agreement term of one year, which automatically renews for one year periods, “unless either party provides thirty (30) days prior written notice of its intent to terminate the Agreement.” 2014 Master Services Agreement § 11.1 (Duckworth Decl. ¶ 38.f, Ex. 39, Dkt. No. 155-40 at 8). It also includes a mutual right to terminate the agreement, with a notice provision. Id. § 11.2.
After FAS receives a complete VQP and the terms are finalized, it performs a background check
Vendors purchase their own tools and equipment
Once the work is completed, the invoice and required photo documentation must be uploaded to the FAS system within 24 hours. FAS Work Order (Dkt. No. 155-8 at 3); see also 2013 VQP (Dkt. No. 155-39 at 3). “Failure to do so will result in loss of payment[,] but if a vendor is providing more than one service, “[l]ate invoices will result in a 10% penalty assessed to the full invoice amount.” 2013 VQP (Dkt. No. 155-39 at 3). Payment is approved only after FAS has reviewed all before, during, and after photos. FAS Work Order (Dkt. No. 155-8 at 3). Work orders inform vendors that if work is “not completed in accordance with the instructions provided and conditions set forth in the work order, no fee will be paid[.]” FAS Work Order (Duckworth Decl. ¶ 10, Ex. 7, Dkt. No. 155-8 at 2).
Vendors set a cap on the number of work orders they can handle, but FAS can lower it. Hunter Dep. at 164-165; see also Pilisko Email and Authenticating Dep. (Miller Decl. ¶4, Ex. 1, Dkt. No. 196-2). Plaintiffs contend that vendors “[i]n theory” can decline a work order, but FAS will penalize them by, “among other things, providing less work in the future.”
FAS uses “vendor blasts ... to communicate information that could apply to a large group of vendors.” Hunter Dep. at 295:5-7; see also Valentino Dep. at 71:16-23 (Miller Decl., Ex. 10, Dkt. No. 196-11). Examples of “vendor blasts” include a pricing guideline for submitting invoices for lawn service, Valentine Email (Miller Decl. ¶ 13, Ex. 10, Dkt. No. 196-11), and a Letter regarding changes to Vendor Scorecards. Duckworth Decl., Ex. 16 (Dkt. No. 155-17). The “metrics” captured in the scorecards includes: on time completion percentage, inspections scores, broker sig-noff score, work order response time, vendor work order acceptance, QC approval percentage, and photo request percentage. Id. FAS’s PMK frames the scorecards as “primarily a tool for the vendor to use and being able to manage their businesses and to see how certain areas they were doing.” Hunter Dep. at 225:16-18. But the vendor blast notifying vendors of changes to the scorecard system discloses that FAS is “increasing the number of metrics we will look at to assess your performance.” Ex. 16 (Dkt. No. 155-17). While FAS maintains that it stopped using the scorecard system sometime in 2013, Hunter Dep. at 226:8-10, plaintiffs point to evidence that the system was used as late as December 2016. Olivier Decl. ¶ 82, Ex. 70, Dkt. No. 191-71[placeholder]; Dkt. No. 190-4 [un-redacted version filed under seal].
FAS also supervises vendors’ work through frequent updates,
The Approved Vendor Quality Policy attached to the 2009 VQP provides,
Vendor Status Recommendations and Reporting: Through the findings and results of FieldQC Inspections, each Field QC Team member is responsible for providing recommendation(s) to Vendor Management pertaining to promotions, adjustments, or denial of Vendor use and/or Vendor status. Furthermore, Field QC Team members are charges with the task of recommending whether or not a non compliant offense is significant repetition or magnitude to be considered for stages of progressive discipline, as defined and outlined below.
Approved Vendor Quality Policy (Dkt, No. 155-18 at 28). The policy details the progressive discipline scale, which includes: stage one (10 percent or $100 penalty, verbal warning, and requirement to submit written description of in house quality control program), stage two (15 percent or $150 penalty, reduction in work order capacity, and written warning placed in vendor’s permanent FAS vendor profile), stage three (25 percent or $250 penalty, loss of preferred vendor status, revocation of payment, reduction in work order capacity, immediate 30 day probationary period and mandatory field- meeting with FAS representatives), stage four (50 percent or $500 penalty, immediate 90 day suspension of approved status, mandatory inspection of all' work orders, chargeback for correction costs, reduction in work order capacity, and follow up conference at end of suspension), and stage five (immediate termination without recourse and no eligibility for rehire). Id. (Dkt. No. 155-18 at 29-30); e.g., Rangel (FAS Operations Supervisor) Recommendation to Proceed with Stage 3 Discipline for a particular vendor (Miller Decl. ¶ 11, Ex. 8, Dkt. No. 196-9); see generally Hunter Dep. at 211-238 (describing general quality control program).
“In approximately 2010,” FAS reduced the Five Stage program to Three Stages, “in order to be more effective in recommending action due to quality deficiencies.” Hunter Dep. at 218:21-22; FAS Vendor Blast and Authenticated Dep. (Miller Decl. ¶ 7, Ex. 4, Dkt. No. 196-5). The new stages are no longer numbered, but labeled initial notification of non compliance, final notification of non compliance, and non compliance termination. Id. When an invoice is declined for quality control reasons, it is automatically captured in a vendor’s “scorecard.” Id. at 211:3-8.
Plaintiffs point to “mandatory training” provided by FAS — pertaining to FAS proprietary software and also to the specific tasks performed by vendors. 2013 VQP (“Completion of training is required prior to receiving work orders.”)(emphasis in original)(Dkt. No. 155-7 at 3); see also FASTrack Mobile Training (Duckworth Decl. Ex. 13, Dkt. No. 155-14); Winteriza
B. Particular Class Members
1. Julia Magdaleno (f.k.a. Bowerman)
In 2008, Julia Magdaleno married plaintiff Fred Bowerman, owner of “sole proprietorship” BB Home Services (“BBHS”), a company that contracted with FAS beginning in 2007. See BBHS 2012 W-9 (Perez Decl. ¶ 2, Ex. 2, Dkt. No. 152-2 at 7); Magdaleno Dep. at 12:23-25 (Dkt. No. 152-4 at 57). Prior to that, Magdaleno was an employee of BBHS. Magdaleno Responses to FAS RFA (Perez Decl. ¶ 6, Ex. 5 (Dkt. No. 152-2 at 17)). After the marriage, Magdaleno ceased collecting paychecks from BBHS, and considered herself a “manager” but not an “owner” of BBHS. Magdaleno Dep. at 28:11-16. Subsequent testimony states that she considered herself an owner of BBHS when she marriéd Bowerman. Id. at 174:13-16. She became a co-signor on BBHS’s bank account, entered into contracts on BBHS’s-behalf, and received work orders from FAS with her name. Magdaleno Dep. at 186:1-9; 193:22-24.
2. Matthew Cohick
In 2003, Cohick started Monster Mowers as a sole proprietorship dedicated to a range of landscaping services, “from installation to maintenance.” Cohick Dep, ait 21, 22:11-23:12 (Dkt. No. 152-4 at 98). Cohick worked for homeowners and operated the company with a single truck, a lawnmower, a weed whacker, a leaf blower, and a chainsaw- Cohick Dep. at 29:12 — 14; 78:13— 79:2. He started servicing properties for FAS in 2006, ánd soon grew into “a full-service vendor ... from trash outs to initials to winterizations to landscape to other repairs....” Id. at 23:6-12. He reportedly ran one advertisement during the time frame from 2003 to present, “but nothing to do with property preservation work.” Id. at 51:22-25. He later clarified that the advertisement had to do with landscaping services, targeted at homeowners. Id. at 52:1-14. He- operated a home office and reportedly “bought office equipment for Field Asset Services.” Id. at 46:11-13. FAS required him to “have a cell phone, download their program, their software, cam
Between 2006 and 2014, Monster Mowers employed between 15 and 30 people, and sometimes used 15 to 30 subcontractors.
In 2010, Monster Mowers incorporated and elected Cohick as a director. Articles of Incorporation (Perez Decl., Ex. 6, Dkt. No. 152-2 at 29). It received its California State contractor’s license in 2011. Cohick initially declared that he “worked exclusively for FAS from 2006 until late 2012,” but later stated he worked 99.9 percent of the time for FAS.
3. Eric Ackel
Ackel’s company Kurb Appeal, Inc., began doing work for FAS around 2008 or 2009, and continued for about two to three years. Ackel Dep. at 44:13-15; 53:9-11 (Perez Decl. Ex. 29, Dkt. No. 152-4 at 169). Before that, Ackel operated several other corporations. Id. at 15:21-17:1. When Kurb Appeal entered the property preservation business, it only provided services for FAS. Id. at 26:9-18. Kurb Apeal had its own office space where it stored its equipment. Id. at 32:17-35:1. It did not advertise, but may have had business cards. Id. at 35:2-12. Kurb Appeal hired twenty different people to help with property preservation work, but Ackel only met four of them in person. Id. at 37:25-38:12; 73:15-17. He would post an advertisement for work on craigslist and explain the work over the phone. Id. at 72:3-4. FAS did not tell Ackel to hire people, nor did they ask him if he had. Id. at 63:8-15.
Ackel personally performed property preservation work on average 14 to 16 hours a day, seven days a week. Id. at 62:6:9; 64:21 (Dkt. No. 188-5). He recalls about 30 occasions when FAS came to properties unannounced to inspect the work. Id. at 66:12-16; 74:6-11. FAS representatives might spend anywhere from 20 minutes to three hours on a property. Id. at 67:1-3. FAS profile notes indicate that it ended its relationship with Kurb Appeal due to “lack of communication.” Id. at 84:24-85:2. Ackel reports that he decided not to do FAS work anymore “[bjecause of the money.” Id. at 85:5-9.
Plaintiffs filed this class action complaint against FAS on January 7, 2013 (Dkt. No. 1), and filed an amended complaint on February 15, 2013. First Amended Compl. (“FAC”)(Dkt. No. 4). The first amended complaint brings causes of action for: (1) breach of contract; (2) breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (3) willful misclassification of independent contractor status, Cal. Labor Code §§ 226.8, 2753; (4) failure to pay overtime compensation, Cal. Labor Code §§ 510, 1194, 1198; (5) failure to pay wages due and owing, Cal. Labor Code § 200 et seq.) (6) failure to indemnify employees for business expenses, Cal. Labor Code § 2802; (7) violations of the Unfair Competition Law (“UCL”), Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200 et seq.; and (8) failure to comply with Labor Code provisions in violation of the Private Attorney General Act (“PAGA”), Cal. Labor Code § 2699 et seq. FAC ¶¶ 36-83.
On September 17, 2014, I denied plaintiffs’ motion for class certification, but left open the possibility “that a better defined, narrower class would be certifiable.” Order on Mot. for Class Certification (“Prior Order”)(Dkt. No. 61). Within 60 days, plaintiffs filed a renewed motion to certify a class under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(3), which proposed narrowing the class definition. Pis.’ Renewed Mot. (Dkt. No. 65). On January 26, 2015, I supplied a summary order granting plaintiffs’ renewed motion, Summary Order (Dkt. No. 78), and on March 24, 2015, I issued a reasoned decision “explaining] that the modifications plaintiffs made to the proposed class definition allow for common questions of law and fact to predominate over questions affecting only individual class members[.]” Order Granting Renewed Mot. for Class Certification at 1 (“Certification Order”)(Dkt. No. 85). The certified class is defined as:
Ml persons who at any time from January 7, 2009 up to and through the time of judgment (the “Class Period”) (1) were designated by FAS as independent contractors; (2) personally performed property preservation work in California pursuant to FAS work orders; and (3) while working for FAS during the Class Period, did not work for any other entity more than 30 percent of the time. The class excludes persons who primarily performed rehabilitation or remodel work for FAS.
Pl.’s Renewed Mot. at 1: 7-10.
On May 25, 2015,
On June 2, 2016, class administrator mailed a copy of the “Class Member Questionnaire” to the 107 discovery, vendors; verified responses were received from just thirteen vendors.
On January 4, 2017, FAS moved for class decertification, Mot. to Decertify (Dkt. No. 154), and summary judgment as to potential class members Julia Magdale-no (i/k/a Bowerman), Matthew Cohick, and Eric Ackel, Mot. for .Summary J. (“FAS MSJ”)(Dkt. No. 152[redacted], Dkt. . No. 151-4[under seal]). The same day, plaintiffs moved for summary judgment on (1) “FAS’s affirmative defense that Plaintiffs and Class. Members are independent contractors”; (2) “FAS’s liability under California law for failing, to pay the Class overtime”;, and (3) “FAS’s liability under California law for failing to reimburse the Class for reasonable and necessary business expenses.” Pis.’ Mot. for,Partial Summary J. (“Pis.’ MPSJ”)(Dkt, No. 155).
I heard argument from the parties on February 22, 2017, during which I asked the parties to submit a joint table of identified class members, listing FAS’s objections and plaintiffs’ response. Dkt. No. 199. The parties submitted that table, listing 126 class members, on March 2, 2017. Dkt. No. 201.
LEGAL STANDARD
I. FEDERAL RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 23
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 governs class actions. “Before certifying a class, ’ the trial court must conduct a rigorous analysis to determine whether the party seeking certification has met the prerequisites of Rule 23.” Mazza v. Am. Honda Motor Co., Inc.,
Certification under Rule 23 is a two-step process. The party seeking certification must first satisfy the four threshold requirements of Rule 23(a), numerosity, commonality, typicality, and adequacy. Specifically, Rule 23(a) requires a showing that:
(1) the class is so numerous that join-der of all members is impracticable;
(2) there are questions of law or fact common to the class;
(3) the claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of the claims or defenses of the class; and
(4) the representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(a).
The party seeking certification must then establish that one of the three grounds for certification applies. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b). Plaintiffs invoke Rule 23(b)(3), which provides that a class action may be maintained where the court finds that the questions of law or fact common to class members predominate over any questions affecting only individual members, and that a class action is superior to other available methods for fairly and efficiently adjudicating the controversy. The matters pertinent to these findings include:
(A) the class members’ interests in individually controlling the prosecution or defense of separate actions;
(B) the extent and nature of any litigar tion concerning the controversy already begun by or against class members;
(C) the desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation of the claims in the particular forum; and
(D) the likely- difficulties in managing a class action.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(3).
An order certifying a- class “may be altered or amended before final judgment.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(c)(1). “In considering the appropriateness of decertification, the standard of review is the same as a motion for class certification: whether the Rule 23 requirements are met.” Ridgeway v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.,
II. SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Summary judgment on a claim or defense is appropriate “if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). In order to prevail, a party moving for summary judgment must show the absence of a genuine issue of material fact with respect to an essential element of the non-moving party’s claim, or to a defense on which the non-moving party will bear the burden of persuasion at trial. See Celotex Corp. v. Catrett,
On summary judgment, the Court draws all reasonable factual inferences in favor of the non-movant. Id. at 255,
III. CALIFORNIA LAW GOVERNING CLASSIFICATION OF WORKERS AS EMPLOYEES OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
“Employers have varying responsibilities with respect to persons performing services on their behalf. These responsibilities depend, in part, on whether those persons are classified as employees or independent contractors under the Labor Code.” Cristler v. Express Messenger Sys., Inc.,
“[U]nder California law, once a plaintiff comes forward with evidence that he provided services for an employer, the employee has established a prima facie case that the relationship was one of employer/employee.” Narayan v. EGL, Inc.,
Because the California Labor Code does not define “employee,” courts generally apply the common law test to distinguish between employees and independent contractors. See Estrada v. FedEx Ground Package Sys., Inc.,
The defendant’s right to control need not extend to every possible aspect of the plaintiffs work for this factor to indicate the existence of an employee/employer relationship. The relevant question is whether the defendant retains “all necessary control” over the plaintiffs performance of his job duties. Borello,
Because the right to control factor “is often of little use in evaluating the infinite variety of service arrangements,” Borello,
(1) whether the worker is engaged in a distinct occupation or business, (2) whether, considering the kind of occupation and locality, the work is usually done under the principal’s direction or by a specialist without supervision, (3) the skill required, (4) whether the principal or worker supplies the instrumentalities, tools, and place of work, (5) the length of time for which the services are to be performed, (6) the method of payment, whether by time or by job, (7) whether the work is part of the principal’s regular business, and (8) whether the parties believe they are creating an employer-employee relationship.
Estrada,
The Borello court listed additional factors developed by other jurisdictions considering the issue “in light of the remedial purposes of the legislation”:
(1) the alleged employee’s opportunity for profit or loss depending on his managerial skill; (2) the alleged employee’s investment in equipment or materials required for his task, or his employment of helpers; (3) whether the service rendered requires a special skill; (4) the degree of permanence of the working relationship; and (5) whether the service rendered is an integral part of the alleged employer’s business.
The secondary factors “cannot be applied mechanically as separate tests; they are intertwined and their weight depends often on particular, combinations.” Germann v. Workers’ Comp. Appeals Bd.,
DISCUSSION
I will first address FAS’s attacks against certification of the class, and then move on to a discussion of both parties’ motions for summary judgment.
I. MOTION TO DECERTIFY
A. Decertification
As an initial matter, plaintiffs disagree with FAS’s contention that “[disputes still exist as to who is even part of the class.” Mot. at l(Dkt. No. 154); Opp’n at 1 (Dkt. No. 191); Reply (Dkt. No. 194 at 16).
The disputed nature of over two-thirds of the identified class members is the genesis for this motion to decertify. In the Order Granting Class Certification, I stated:
On this record, I cannot say that the specter of some vendors lacking time records is sufficiently threatening to preclude class certification. This is particularly so given that class membership will not depend on an exact determination of the amount of time the vendor spent working for FAS versus other entities — so long as the seventy. percent threshold is passed, the requirement will be satisfied.
Certification Order at 13. FAS now argues that “even following extensive discovery— Plaintiffs have failed establish [sic] any manageable way to proceed to trial on a class basis.” Mot. to Decertify at 1.
While defendant frames its attack on grounds of commonality, predominance, and superiority, its arguments boil down to one core: the nature of a multi-factor test and factual variations amongst the vendors preclude class treatment because neither side can say that every vendor is an' employee or every vendor is an independent contractor. Hr’g Tr. at 12:6-13:10 (Dkt. No. 203['sealed]). Though distinctions are relevant to the various inquiries, they alone are insufficient to. negate class certi-. fication. Throughout its motion, FAS fails to earry its line of. attack through thé requisite legal tests. Accordingly, it has not undermined the sufficiency of class certification.
1. Commonality
This marks the third time that FAS has identified its “concern that vendors’ business operations were so varied that there could be no common answer regarding independent " contractor status under the multi-factored, interdependent Borello test.” Mot. to Decertify at 19. I found before that “[c]ommonality is satisfied
FAS begins its argument against finding commonality with the most critical, factor — the right to control. It identifies some class members who assert that they had the right to control their own work, while others felt that FAS retained various rights.
It is “the defendant’s right to control the manner and means by which the plaintiffs work is accomplished, rather than the amount of control actually exercised [that] is the principal factor in .assessing whether a plaintiff is an employee or an independent contractor.” Id. at 6 (citing Ayala v. Antelope Valley Newspapers, Inc.,
2. Predominance
In the Certification Order, I summarized the Prior Order’s findings
For purposes of class certification, the issue is whether these factors may be applied on a classwide basis, generating a classwide answer on the issue of employee status, or whether the determination requires too much individualized analysis. Narayan v. EGL, Inc.,
I agree with plaintiffs that “[n]one of the ‘new evidence’ proffered by FAS changes my prior ruling. As plaintiffs recognize, FAS improperly focuses on its actual exercise of control over vendors, rather than its right to exercise that control. Opp’n at 15 (citing Certification Order at 19). In the Certification Order, I mentioned as much:
Under this test, the defendant’s right to control the manner and means by which the plaintiffs work is accomplished, rather than the amount of control actually exercised, is the principal factor in assessing whether a plaintiff is an employee or an independent contractor. See Ayala v. Antelope Valley Newspapers, Inc.,59 Cal.4th 522 , 533-34 [173 Cal.Rptr.3d 332 ,327 P.3d 165 ] (2014) (“What matters under the common law is not how much control a hirer exercises, but how much control the hirer retains the right to exercise.”) (emphasis in original).
Certification Order at 6.
I also found in that order that “all vendors execute the same or similar independent contractor agreement with at-will termination provisions.... ” Id. at 15:8-9. FAS fails to identify any evidence to convince me otherwise. And while FAS again points to differences among vendors’ corporate form, I have- twice discounted that argument’s relevance to certification. Prior Order at 20:23-21:13; Certification Order at 17:17-23 (“While [FAS’s] observation [noting considerable variation in whether class members operate distinct businesses] appears to be factual accurate, I am not convinced that it matters.”), 20:2-4 (“And while the distinct business and parties’ beliefs factors will continue to vary between class members, neither of these factors is sufficiently probative in this case for the variation within them to defeat predomi
3. Superiority
FAS’s argument devoted to attacking the superiority of class treatment lists a page of legal authority focused on “ascer-tainability and/or administrative feasibility (rather than Rule 23’s superiority and manageability requirement),” but it contends, “the rationale is equally applicable here.” Mot. to Decertify at 11. I disagree. The fact that FAS could not identify precedent tracking its reasons against certification is telling. As plaintiffs point out, Opp’n at 18, FAS strategically manipulates its argument given the Ninth Circuit’s recent reminder that class certification should not be denied solely due to manageability concerns. Briseno v. ConAgra Foods, Inc.,
While administrative feasibility is not a prerequisite to class certification, manageability is still a factor to be considered in a court’s superiority analysis. “Manageability concerns must be weighed against the alternatives and will rarely, if ever, be sufficient to prevent certification of a class.” Trosper v. Styker Corp., No. 13-cv-00607-LHK,
FAS argues that “[proceeding on a classwide basis is not superior to individual adjudication if each class member would be forced to litigate several individualized issues in order to establish his or her right to recover.” Mot. to Decertify at 9. It points to problems with self-identifying class members, the “likelihood [that] the class member will vary from business to business[,]” and it asserts that “[t]he only way to figure out the identity of the class member is to drill down on how the business is structured and managed.” Id. at 11. For some vendors, the class member could be the “contact person,” the “signatory to the FAS contract,” “the person who runs the business,” or “the person who actually performs the property preservation work.” Id. (emphasis added). But the class definition easily answers defendant’s question: the class member must have personally performed property preservation work. Because of the additional limitation that the class member must have also been
FAS also argues that some individuals identified by plaintiffs as class members were “not listed as contact persons for any vendor identified by FAS[,]” “were not sent Class Notice[,]” and did not execute a vendor agreement with FAS. Mot. to Decertify'at 12. Some individuals listed as contact persons and sent Class Notice do not fall within the class definition. Id. But plaintiffs dispose of FAS’s concerns by citing to the Certification Order, where I found that the class-definition term “designated by FAS as independent contractors” refers to “vendors that FAS has already identified as having worked for it during the class period.” Certification Order at 9. Plaintiffs further clarify that this term “is simply intended to include Vendor-owners and exclude workers of those Vendors.” Opp’n to Mot. to Decertify at 2 (emphasis in original). Accordingly, the listed contact person is irrelevant to a determination of class membership and immaterial to the superiority analysis. Moreover, neither Rule 23 nor the Due Process Clause requires actual notice to each individual class member. Briseno v. ConAgra Foods, Inc.,
Next, FAS insists that it has “no way of knowing” which individuals personally performed ■ property preservation services; which vendors work for other entities; and the proportion of time any vendor spent working for another entity. Id. at 13. It states, “[n]ot a single potential class member has produced any records showing what percentage of time he or she worked for FAS as opposed to other entities.”
Plaintiffs implore that “FAS’s challenge is not to manageability at all — it is simply a regurgitation of its ascertainability argument, which this Court has repeatedly put
Plaintiffs are correct that “class litigation is superior than adjudicating the claims of over 100 class members.” Opp’n at 18 (capitalization omitted). While FAS seems preoccupied with a concern about mini-trials, it either cites to non-class member testimony or to its worries about individualized damages. For purposes of certification, however, the . analysis must focus on the requirements of Rule 23. A determination of class certification often involves an overlap with the merits of a case. While the court must treat the substantive allegations in the class action pleadings as true, it is also “at liberty to consider evidence which goes to the requirements of Rule 23 even though the evidence may also relate to the underlying merits of the case.” Hanon v. Dataproducts Corp.,
Second, self-identification through declarations is an accepted practice. See Briseno,
Plaintiffs underscore the lack of any viable alternative for class members to pursue their claims and “the drain on resources that would result from these cases proceeding individually” to conclude that
B. Expense Reimbursement Claim
FAS argues that plaintiffs’ expense reimbursement claim cannot be adjudicated on a classwide basis due to the need for “individualized evidence,” and the fact that “[plaintiffs seek reimbursement for a wide range of expenses.” Mot. at 22-23. Plaintiffs counter that individualized evidence is unnecessary to determine liability because “FAS has a policy of refusing to pay for the business expenses
I agree with plaintiffs: “[t]o the extent that there is any individualized evidence needed, it will pertain to damages.” Opp’n at 24. FAS’s liability is based on a common policy, documented through the vendor qualification agreements, the vendor profiles, the scorecards, and the various training materials. As previously noted, “[t]he Ninth Circuit has made clear that the presence of individualized damages cannot, by itself, defeat class certification under Rule 23(b)(3).” Certification Order at 22 (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Briseno v. ConAgra Foods, Inc.,
FAS argues in a footnote that “Plaintiffs’ expense reimbursement claim also cannot proceed on a class basis because expenses incurred by business entities do not qualify for reimbursement under section 2802.” Mot. at 24 n.41 (citing Villalpando v. Exel Direct Inc.,
II. PLAINTIFFS’ PARTIAL MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
“Plaintiffs are entitled to summary judgment on [FAS’s] independent contractor defense only if the undisputed facts, viewed in the light most favorable [to FAS], demonstrate that [FAS] will be unable to meet its burden in establishing that Plaintiffs are independent contractors under California law.” Villalpando v. Exel Direct Inc., No. 12-cv-04137-JCS,
FAS’s cases provide little more guidance on how the law should apply to the facts before me. Opp’n at 16-20 (Dkt. No. 189); see Arnold v. Mut. of Omaha Ins. Co.,
While the driver cases present the most recent authority on the issue of worker classification, the nature of the vendors’ work here limits the persuasiveness of those cases. Vendors select and perform a wide variety of tasks. Because the level of skill varies depending on the task, the specifications, training, and level of supervision all vary as well. In some cases, when facts are undisputed, the mixed question of worker status may best be suited for a jury. Narayan,
A. Vendors are Presumptive Employees Under California,Law
As noted during certification, “[o]nce a plaintiff comes forward with evidence that he provided services for an employer, the employee has established a prima facie case that the relationship was one of employer/employee.” Certification Order at 5 (quoting Narayan v. EGL, Inc.,
1. Right to Control
FAS asserts that it does not dictate who does the work, when it gets done, or how it gets done. Opp’n at 6-11 (Dkt. No. 189), And from this conclusion it insists that “vendors — not FAS — retain and exercise the right to control most every aspect of their performance of the contracted services.” Id. at 11. But FAS’s statements run counter to all of the evidence giving it the right to control. As plaintiffs state, “FAS tells Vendors where to go, when to go, what to do, when to get it done, and how much and when they will be paid for their efforts.” Reply ISO MPSJ at 1(Dkt. No. 196). I agree with plaintiffs’ assertion that, “No reasonable juror could review the Vendor Packets, the work orders, the trainings, the Vendor Profiles, the discipline, and the Vendor scorecards, and conclude any of the Vendors are independent contractors.” Id.; see also MPSJ at 15-24.
Under California’s common law test to distinguish between employees and independent contractors, “the defendant’s right to control the manner and means by which the plaintiffs work is accomplished, rather than the amount of control actually exercised, is the principal factor in assessing whether a plaintiff is an employee or an independent contractor.” Certification Order at 6. As previously noted, a “defendant’s right to control need not extend to every possible aspect of the plaintiffs work[,] rather, “[t]he relevant question is whether the defendant retains ‘all necessary control’ over the plaintiffs performance of his job duties.” Id. (quoting Borel
I find that FAS’s argument that it does not control when vendors perform work disingenuous. FAS requires work to be performed within three days of receiving a work order. That it does not dictate the precise hours during which the work must be performed is inconsequential. This element is a small consideration under the right to control factor. See, e.g., Air Courier's Int’l,
FAS claims that “the procedures that Plaintiffs contend qualify as the exertion of ‘employer control’ (e.g., photograph verification, job specifications, inspections, etc.) are all directed towards confirming that the work a vendor accepts has been completed to the client’s specifications.” Id. It urges that “Plaintiffs do not submit any evidence demonstrating that FAS has exerted uniform control over areas that are not directly tied to the ‘results,’ such as (i) the vendors’ appearance or apparel; (ii) the brands or appearance of the equipment they use; (iii) their schedules, days of work, and hours; or (iv) their geographic coverage areas.” Opp’n at 20. It also insists that vendors could negotiate rates, while plaintiffs cite many vendors who testify that they could not negotiate.
The Ninth Circuit rejected a similar position in Alexander, There, FedEx argued that its control over drivers was similarly limited to the “results it -seeks, not the manner and means in which drivers achieve those results.”. Alexander,
' Next, FAS asserts, “Plaintiffs also completely ignore that many job specifications are designed to ensure compliance with applicable law ..., thereby precluding Plaintiffs from relying upon them as evidence of control.” Id. But the Narayan court explicitly found requirements “to meet ‘the industry standard, the DOT regulations, and ... customer’s requirements” all substantiated evidence of control.
FAS also points out that vendors signed agreements identifying themselves as independent contractors, and then emphasizes that “none of the packets includes any limitations with respect to who can perform the work.” Opp’n at 18 (emphasis in original). The former point is “not dis-positive,” Borello,
I agree with plaintiffs that FAS’s documents clearly establish that it retained the right to control the vendors. The VQPs contain an at-will termination provisions, which is “strong evidence” of a right to control. Borello,
The vendor profiles demonstrate that FAS not only retained the right to control the vendors but actually exercised that control through extensive supervision and a regimented discipline program. And if vendors failed to comply with the direction of FAS field team inspectors, they faced penalties. This is strong evidence of a right to control. See Ayala,
FAS does not argue that the VQPs are ambiguous, but it focuses on the factual variations in when and how FAS exercised its control. That is not the touchstone of the analysis. The five versions of the VQPs are materially the same;
I find that the evidence, even when viewed in the light most favorable to FAS, demonstrates that it retained “all necessary control” over the vendors.
2. Secondary Factors
As noted in the Class Certification Order, “[t]he secondary factors ‘cannot be applied mechanically as separate tests; they are intertwined and their weight depends often on particular combinations.’” Certification Order at 7 (quoting Germann v. Workers’ Comp. Appeals Bd.,
If I ignored the right to control analysis, and focused solely on the secondary factors, I would not grant summary judgment. As I discuss below, some factors favor'viewing the vendors as independent contractors, and some as employees. But the right to control is pre-eminent, and notwithstanding the conflicting secondary factors, a' reasonable jury would have to conclude that the vendor-class members were employees because FAS retained the right to control the manner and means of the vendors’ work. Borello,
a. Distinct Occupation or Business
This factor weighs in favor of plaintiffs. FAS urges me to find a distinction between the vendors and the drivers in Ruiz, where the class members’ “businesses were in name only[,]” Ruiz,
While class members may have had the right to work for others, many did not, and none “work[ed] for any other entity more than 30 percent-of the time.” Class Certification Order at 2 (reciting class definition). Plaintiffs contend that the work performed by vendors is “wholly integrated” into FAS’s operation, and as such, the vendors are not engaged in a distinct business occupation. MPSJ at 21 (citing Alexander,
Plaintiffs proffer evidence that many vendors were so overwhelmed with FAS work that their businesses were essentially precluded from seeking opportunities with others. FAS counters that they were not forbidden from doing so. But the analysis must focus on this factor in- light of the class definition. Given that vendors worked for FAS at least 70 percent of the time, this factor weighs in favor of plaintiffs,
b. Work Done Under Principal’s Direction
While “this factor is largely duplicative of the control factory” Harris,
c. The Skill Required
This factor tips to plaintiffs because of the lack of skill required to do the vendors’ work, including such tasks as taking out the trash, mowing the lawn, and cleaning a house. MPSJ at 22. FAS points to other tasks, such as hazardous materials transportation, home winterization, and roofing, to argue that “experience and skill in this area is critical.” Opp’n at 21. Even though the lack of skill required to complete work orders varies with the tasks, it remains true that “[t]he work the vendors perform does not require a great deal of
d.Whether the Principal Supplies the Instrumentalities, Tools, and Place of Work
I am not sure how to evaluate this factor, but it is not important to my analysis. As plaintiffs state, “FAS assigns Vendors worksites, thus supplying the place of work[,]” Reply at 12, but it is also undisputed that vendors purchase them own tools and equipment. Plaintiffs assert that “FAS requires Vendors to purchase and use certain equipment and tools.” Reply at 13. Both parties present evidence supporting their positions, and I do not reach a conclusion regarding them.
e.The Length of Time for Performance of Services
For the fifth factor, plaintiffs contend that “vendors are hired by FAS for an indefinite period of time, not linked to any particular job or property, and are paid what FAS decides to pay them.” MPSJ at 22; Reply at 13. Plaintiffs also point out that “[m]ost vendors work for years on hundreds of different properties.” Reply at 13. FAS highlights the most recent template contract, which “specifies a one-year term, subject to cancellation by either party with 30-days’ notice, and further allows termination for breach by either Party subject to a five-day cure provision.” Opp’n at 24 (citing Hunter Supp. Decl. ¶ 9; Ex. 7; Hunter Decert. Decl. ¶ 2). In Narayan, the Ninth Circuit held that a similar agreement was “a substantial indicator of an at-will employment relationship.”
f.The Method of Payment
As FAS points out, vendors are paid “by the job, not by the hour[,]” Opp’n at 22, but plaintiffs construe this fact into “another way FAS controls Vendors[.]” Reply at 14 (citing Borello,
g.Whether the Work is a Regular Part of the Business of FAS
FAS urges that it “coordinates the provision of property preservation services,” but “does not itself provide property preservation services.” Opp’n at 22. While FAS employs a substantial staff of coordinators and inspectors to oversee its operation, it would not have a business to
h.Intent of the Parties
As already noted, the vendors signed an agreement acknowledging their status as independent contractors, so this factor weighs in favor of independent contractor status. The Ninth Circuit, however, found this factor is not dispositive where the initial intent to create an independent contractor agreement is “belied by” FAS’s “policies and procedures, which in fact allow [it] to control significant aspects of the [vendor’s] day-to-day jobs, and it therefore provides only limited insight into the [vendor’s] state of mind.
i.Opportunity for Profit or Loss
FAS highlights this factor as a critical reason why the vendors must be independent contractors because they “have opportunities for profit and loss in the millions of dollars based upon their managerial skill.... ” Opp’n at 23. This certainly seems to have happened for a few of the vendors, so it is clear that opportunity for profit exists.
j.Employment of Others
FAS urges that the vendors’ ability and freedom to hire their own workers favors a finding of independent contractor status. Id. at 24. Plaintiffs underscore the reasons vendors may have hired their own workers as a necessary consideration. And they cite to Ruiz to diminish the importance of this factor: “While ‘purporting to relinquish’ some control to the drivers by making the drivers form their own businesses and hire helpers, Affinity ‘retained absolute overall control’ over the key parts of the business.” Ruiz,
k.Degree of Permanence
FAS points to the mutual right to terminate the relationship as evidence supporting independent contractor status here. Opp’n at 24. Hennighan v. Insphere Ins. Solutions, Inc.,
I.Whether the Relationship Was Exclusive
While the class is limited to those vendors that “did not work for any other entity more than 30 percent of the time,” FAS attempts to point to their ability to provide services for others. Opp’n at 24. It does not matter what the vendors were free to do; rather the scope of the analysis is governed by the class definition. The class members here had a nearly exclusive relationship with FAS.
As noted at the outset of this section, some of the secondary factors support FAS’s argument that the vendors are inde
B. Overtime Violations and Failure to Reimburse Certain Expenses
California law requires payment of overtime compensation to all non-exempt employees, Cal. Lab.Code § 510, as well as the reimbursement of necessary and reasonable business expenses. Cal. Lab. Code § 2802. Summary judgment , on these claims necessarily depends on a finding that the vendors are employees as a matter of law. Once that is established, plaintiffs contend that they are entitled to summary judgment on the issue of FAS’s liability for failing to pay overtime and to reimburse expenses because it is undisputed that FAS did not pay vendors’ over-. time nor did it reimburse them for business expenses. MPSJ at 25. They assert that “[a]ny issue as to how much Plaintiffs should be [sic] received, i.e., whether a particular Vendor worked overtime on a specific day, or whether a specific expense was reasonable and necessary, are all issues for the damages phase of these claims.” Id.
FAS disagrees, citing cases suggesting summary judgment on claims for expenses and overtime is inappropriate when issuer of fact are left unresolved. Opp’n at 25 (citing Morgan v. Wet Seal Inc.,
FAS concedes that it does not pay overtime, It contends that “vendors can and do negotiate over payment for some of the very same costs Plaintiffs seek to recover by way of their expense reimbursement claim,...” .Id. But because employees are entitled to overtime and payment of expenses as-a matter of law, summary judgment with respect to liability to the class is appropriate. Whether and to what amount an individual class member should be com-, pensated for working overtime or being reimbursed for expenses will be determined in the damages or claims phase of the case.
III. FAS’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
FAS argues that “there are many individuals in the group .of 48 whose claims fail as a matter of law[,]” but it pinpoints the claims of purported class members Julia
A. Julia Magdaleno
1. Class Status
FAS argues for summary judgment of Magdeleno’s claims because she “never executed a contract with FAS,” FAS never designated her as an independent contractor, and she therefore does not meet the class definition.
The issue of Magdaleno’s purported ownership interest in BBHS derived from her marriage to Fred Bowerman is distinct from the issue of whether she was ever “designated by FAS as an independent contractor.”
2. Claims for Breach of Contract and Breach of the Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
As an initial matter, Magdaleno’s claims for breach' of contract and breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing are not dependent on her membership in the
While FAS focuses on the “documents that memorialized the contractual relationship between BB Homes Services and FAS,” Opp’n at 5, a contract may be implied by conduct. See Cal. Civ. Code § 1621 (“An implied contract is one, the existence and terms of which are manifested by conduct.”). Magdaleno’s claim for breach of contract need not depend on the existence of any written agreement.
As for her claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, it too survives. FAS misrepresents Guz’s holding when it states, “there is no independent claim for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in the employment context....” MSJ at 6 (citing Guz v. Bechtel,
B. Absent Class Members Matthew Cohick and Eric Ackel
While FAS separates its attack on Co-hick and Ackel, its argument is the same: the level of success or independence of each individual’s business precludes a finding that they are FAS’s employees. MSJ at 15 (“On its own initiative, Monster Mowers grew to be a multi-million dollar business with dozens of employees and subcontractors, extensive equipment, and a fleet of vehicles, that it used to provide property preservation services to a number of clients — before, during, and after the time period it provided services to FAS.”); Reply at 9 (“Mr. Ackel did not create Kurb Appeal to contract with FAS, but rather, to enter the industry, and when Mr. Ackel when ‘looking for clients,’ he found FAS.”).
1. Right to Control
FAS argues, due to the size of the businesses of Cohick and Ackel, that it could not have exercised control over their work. MSJ at 17 (“Compared to the expansive nature of Cohick’s operations, FAS exerted minimal, if any, control.”)(capitali-zations omitted). Without a doubt, the size
As plaintiffs point out, FAS terminated its relationships with both Cohick and Ack-el, which is “ ‘strong evidence’ of a right to control and an employment relationship.” Certification Order at 7 (quoting Borello,
2. Secondary Factors
All but one of the secondary factors— including the level of supervision, the skill required,
In regards to Cohick’s Monster Mowers, FAS points to Monster Mower’s financial success, as well as its investment in vehicle and equipment inventory, clothing bearing the Monster Mowers logo, and dozens of workers and subcontractors. MSJ at 20-22. It also highlights Monster Mower’s work for FAS competitor AMS, and its freedom to "follow[ ] the client while still contracting with FAS.” Id. at 22 (emphasis in original). But, according to plaintiffs, FAS told Cohick to hire helpers, provided its own training, supervised him (and other workers) through calls and emails, inspected the work, disciplined him by paying him less, and left him under constant fear that he would lose work if he did not do exactly
For Ackel, FAS highlights. Kurb. Appeal’s 1500-square foot office space and the several other businesses owned by Ackel, both before and after contracting with FAS. MSJ, at 29-31. It also focuses on his discretion to refuse work, his liberty to hire workers without FAS approval, and the small percentage of on-site inspections to argue that FAS did not exercise a right of control over Kurb Appeal. Id. While FAS never “trained” Ackel, “they [FAS] controlled everything you did[,l” and “there was no negotiation.” Ackel Dep. at 55:12-13. Further, when they showed up unannounced for site inspections, they would “just give [him] direction.” Id. at 67:23. The differences FAS identifies regarding Cohick and Ackel from the other vendors are not sufficient to exclude them as class members. FAS’s motion for summary judgment concerning them is DENIED. '
CONCLUSION
Plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment is GRANTED. FAS’s motion to decertify the class is DENIED. Its motion for summary judgment is GRANTED with respect to Julia Magdaleno and denied as to Matthew Cohick and Eric Ackel.
The damages phase of the case remains set for trial on May 22, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. The pre-trial conference is set for April 24, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Notes
. The disputed nature of many of the facts are identified when material. Plaintiffs note that certain portions of FAS’s cited deposition testimony were not included in FAS’s exhibits, FAS corrected this omission with a Notice of Errata, filed on February 12, 2017. Dkt. No. 198.
. FAS argues that it does not provide property preservation services, but it identifies itself as "the premier Property Preservation, REO Maintenance, and Repair Services company in the United States, servicing more than $2 billion in residential assets on behalf of our clients.” FAS Marketing material (Duckworth Decl. ¶4, Ex. 1, Dkt. No. 155-2 at 5). The argument appears to be based on semantics. It is addressed in the discussion of the secondary factors. It does not create a genuine dispute.
. According to plaintiffs, "the parties always have read and treated the class member definition [“vendors”] as being the owner of the business entity.” Opp’n to Def.’s Mot. to De-certify at 2 (Dkt. No. 191).
. While FAS insists that it does not require vendors to obtain business licenses, the Vendor Qualification Packets reference the applicant’s "company.” See Vendor Qualification Packets 2009-2013 (Dkt. Nos. 34-38). An opening letter attached to one of the 2013 VQPs states, "All documents and Certificate of Insurance must EXACTLY match the company or sole proprietor name listed on your W-9.” 2013 VQP (Duckworth Decl. ¶ 9, Ex. 6, Dkt. No. 155-7 at 2)
. Plaintiffs urge that "[t]here is no meaningful opportunity for applicants to modify any of the terms of the Packet, and indeed, no Vendor has done so.” Pls.' MPSJ at 4 (citing DD 115, Ex. 2 [PMK Depo. at 25:6-11; 27:19-28:1; 30:23-31:20; 35:5-38:19; 40:17-21; 42:6-43:10; 78:18-79:2; 150:13-151:12; 152:22-153:23]; ¶ 38, Ex. 34-38;. ¶ 70, Ex. 71 [Davis Decl. 11 5]; ¶ 68, Ex. 69 [Dunham Decl. ¶ 4]; ¶ 71, Ex. 72 [Hart Decl. ¶ 4]; ¶ 67, Ex. 68 [Lopez Decl. ¶ 7]; ¶ 66, Ex. 67 [Karger Decl. ¶ 6]; ¶ 69, Ex. 70 [Jaques Decl. ¶ 5]; ¶ 80, Ex. 81 [Hart Depo. 57:1-6]; ¶ 82, Ex. 83 [Karger Depo 52:12-19]; ¶ 81, Ex. 82 [Davis Depo. 115:18-22]; ¶ 79, Ex. 80 [Denny Depo. 60:18-61:6]). FAS insists that the terms, including the rates for services, are negotiable. See, e.g., Hunter Decl. ¶ 10 ("While FAS offers templates, every term of each contract is negotiable and many terms have changed over time in various contracts.”); id. ¶ 11 (“Significantly, a large number of the contractual terms are negotiated (and often renegotiated) between FAS and every vendor.”); Hunter Dep. at 48:16-23 (noting on the price schedule where a vendor “crossed out some of the pricing and proposed their own pricing.”). Plaintiffs counter with vendor testimony that they either "did not know” or thought that they could not negotiate, or that "negotiation” consisted of vendors asking and FAS rejecting. E.g., Cino Dep. at 67:5 (Dkt. No. 198-4); Cohick Decl. ¶ 4 ("The pricing was set by FAS and was not negotiable unless additional work needed to be done.”)(Dkt. No. 155-60). Although vendors were permitted to "bid" on additional work that they discovered needed to be performed on a property, plaintiffs contend that “bidding” is a misnomer because the price had to match up with FAS’s bid sheet, or it would not get approved. E.g., Cohick Dep. at 93:19-94:10 (Dkt. No. 188-4).
. Plaintiffs contend ‘‘[t]here are no material differences in any of the versions of the Packets, and FAS points to none.” Opp’n to Class Decertification at 6, But FAS maintains that the vendor packets have varied significantly over time in material ways, such as with respect to contract termination (i.e,, some packets did not contain a termination provision, others provided that the contract could be terminated at any time, and others contained a notice provision), independent contractor acknowledgments (i.e., some packets include an express acknowledgement of independent contractor status, while others do not), indemnification provisions, background check provisions, tax information, security provisions, non-exclusivity provisions, and the inclusion of job specifications within the packets.” Opp'n to MPSJ at 4 n.4 (citing Hunter Supp, Decl. ¶¶ 6, 8-9, cf. Exs. 2-3, 6-7; Duckworth Decl. Exs. 37-38.)
. The checklist also has a blank for vendors to input their contractor’s license number. Dkt. No. 155-18 at 15. FAS’s PMK represents that the VQPs do not require vendors to obtain a general contractor’s license, but if a vendor offers to provide a service that requires one, then it attests that it has one. Hunter Dep, at 30:10-14. The Insurance Requirements attached to the 2009 VQP has a subsection entitled "Contractor’s License (Only if required in your state),” Dkt. No, 155-18 at 17; Dkt. No. 155-7 at 6. It states, "Each vendor and contractor must be a licensed contractor to perform work on FAS assignment.... We must have a copy on file before FAS can issue work.” Id.
. The letter notes that FAS requires high quality work, and ”[t]o do so, we [FAS] have developed a systematic method for identifying and correcting service deficiencies.” Dkt. No, 155-18 at 27.
. The VQPs state, "A work order will be issued each time a service is needed,. Please read each work order carefully. You must complete the requested services as outlined on the work order.” 2009 VQP Dkt. Nos. 155— 35 at 6; 155-37 at 6
. FAS requires Vendors to administer background screening for any employee, contractor or consultant that includes verification of social security numbers, criminal background checks, work authorization verification, confirmed work references, and verification of any certifications, and FAS also requires Vendors to authorize FAS or a third-party to conduct background checks as determined by FAS in its sole discretion. 2011 VQP (Duckworth Decl. Ex. 37, Dkt. No. 155-38 at 6-7); 2013 VQP (Dkt. No. 155-7 at 11-12).
. Plaintiffs point to vendor testimony that they were required to purchase specific tools
. Plaintiffs submitted an email correspondence in which a vendor attempted to decline a work order "the last couple of times” due to concerns about the condition of the property and lacking the proper equipment. Email Exchange between Vendor Dunham and FAS coordinator McMillan and Authenticating Dep. (Miller Decl. ¶ 9, Ex. 6, Dkt. No. 196-7). FAS responds, "If I have to pay another vendor to complete this I will have to charge you back for the increase.... This needs to be take [sic] care of ASAP.” Id.
. Plaintiffs provide testimony that vendors were required to check in daily. E.g., Magdaleno Dep. at 197:11; Cohick Dep. at 112:13— 14 (Dkt. No. 188-4).
. The photo documentation requirements are quite stringent, mandating before, during, and after photos “from the same perspective, frame, and angle.” Hunter Dep. at 197:2-9; see also 2013 VQP (Dkt. No. 155-39 at 4). One vendor described a particular example,
[T]o show that I was cleaning windows, I would have to take a before picture of the window, a picture showing that I was using Windex-brand glass cleaner, a picture that showed the spray coming out of the Windex bottle, a picture of the Windex product on the surface of the window, a picture of a clean rag, a picture of a hang wiping the rag across the dirty window, a picture of the dirty rag at the end of the cleaning to show the dirt on it, and a picture of the clean window.... Some of these pictures were pretty difficult to take, as I would often have to snap several pictures trying to get one that actually captured the spray coming out of the Windex bottle.
R. Pyzer Decl. ¶ 17 (Duckworth Decl. ¶ 124, Ex, 125, Dkt. No. 157-25). FAS frames its photo requirements as merely “verify[ing] that the work a vendor accepts has been completed, and meets the client's specifications, before payment is made.” Opp’n to MPSJ at 11.
. This document also notes that FAS "handle[s] every detail of the vendor relationship,” and “[o]ur technology and our expertise enable us to scrutinize every order from placement to completion. This enables us to measure every vendor on every step of every job.” Our National Vendor Network (Duckworth Decl. ¶ 7, Ex. 4, Dkt. No. 155-5).
. I will reference Magdaleno's testimony as "Magdaleno,” even though her name was Bowerman at the time.
. FAS asserts that some of Cohick’s employees have sued him over a variety of concerns, including misclassification. That evidence is irrelevant to the issues in this case.
. While FAS points to Monster Mower’s 1099s to challenge the veracity of Cohick’s representation, "any discrepancy between the annual income Monster Mowers reports and the income the company received from FAS" is irrelevant to the analysis. Besides, plaintiffs point out that “if FAS had looked through its own records, it would have realized that it had issued Cohick not just one, but two, 1099s in 2009, one to Matthew Cohick and one to Matthew Jay Cohick, which fully explains the supposed ‘discrepancy.’ ” Opp’n to MSJ at 15 (Dkt. No. 188).
. Defendants’ motion to decertify, and declaration in support thereof, incorrectly identified this date as May 25, 2016. See Mot. to Decertify at 5; Cubre Decl. ¶ 14. FAS previously indicated that class notice occurred in May 2015. See, e.g., Aurelio Decl. ¶ 3 (Dkt. No. 96).
. Of the 680 vendors, plaintiffs claim that 48 are clearly in the class, while 30 are excluded. Mot. to Decertify at 7. According to defendants, this leaves approximately 90 percent of vendors with an unknown status of whether they meet the class definition. Id. Plaintiffs state that, to date, they are aware of 125 individuals who meet the class definition. Opp’n to Mot. to Decertify at 4.
.The parties have brought numerous discovery disputes to my attention. See Dkt. Nos. 111, 113, 114, 115, 125, 127, 135, 140, 141, 143.
. Plaintiffs- indicate that the DVG consists of 108 individuals — 106 initially identified and an additional two self-identified as Class Members. Olivier Decl. ¶ 5.
. Claims administrator received six responses, Dang Decl, ¶ 5, while seven were reportedly' sent directly by plaintiffs' counsel. Cubre Decl. ¶ 17, 19.
.Of the 65 noticed deponents, plaintiffs now assert that 19 are-in the class and 29 are not. Mot, to Decertify at 7.
. Class counsel has continued interviewing potential class members as part of damages discovery. Opp’n at 4; Olivier Decl. ¶ 10. Of 177 individuals who performed property preservation work for FAS during the class period, 78 have self-identified as class members - and 99 have self-identified as non-class members. Id.
. Because the page numbers on FAS's Reply brief repeat "iii,".citations will.reference the page number associated with the ECF docket number.
. FAS cites to various class members’ testimony to support its position, but many of the examples FAS provides pertain to the amount of control actually exercised, not the right to exercise control. See Mot. at 19. This includes information such as the right to turn down work, with or without repercussion; whether FAS directly supervised the work; whether vendors were required to complete training; and "whether FAS dictated work schedules.
. "In the prior order, I recognized that much of the evidence going to FAS’s right to control was common to all vendors. Dkt. No. 17. The record indicated then, as it does now, that FAS’s business model is dependent on vendors performing the services that FAS provides, that all vendors execute the same or similar independent contractor agreements with at-will provisions, and that vendors performing property preservation work are expected to comply with highly detailed job specifications.”' Certification Order at 15 (footnote omitted). I then explained my reasons for initially denying certification because "individualized questions regarding FAS’s
. Discipline may- include "charges/deductions to the Vendors’ payables, verbal and written reprimands, suspension, and termination of a Vendor’s employment.” Opp’n at 10 n.34 (citing Hunter Dep.).
. FAS identifies potential class members who testified that they have no records of how much time they personally performed property preservation work; do . not recall performing property preservation work at all; or simply do not know whether they meet the class definition. Mot. at 13-14. But plaintiffs point ■ out that FAS’s evidence pertains to vendors who are not. class members, and therefore is irrelevant to class certification. Opp’n at 4.
. Plaintiffs take great issue with FAS’s characterization; they cite to numerous records and conclusively state that ”[n]o one with whom Class Counsel has had contact has been unable to determine whether he or she falls within the Class.” Opp’n at 1-2; Olivier Decl. ¶¶ 4-10. And, in case there was any doubt, “every vendor with whom- the Parties have had contact has been able to determine whether he or she falls within the Class.” Opp’n at 3 (emphasis in original); see also id. at 4 (“No individual who has been deposed, submitted a declaration, or with whom Class Counsel has spoken, has been unable to determine whether he or she falls within or outside the class definition.”).
. The superiority factors include: "(A) the class members’ interests in individually controlling the prosecution or defense of separate actions; (B) the extent and nature of any litigation concerning the controversy already begun by or' against class members; (C) the desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation of the claims in the particular forum; and (D) the likely difficulties in managing a class action.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(3).
. “The vendor declarations submitted by both plaintiffs and FAS. indicate that many if not most vendors will be able to self-identify as being in or out of the class.” Certification Order at 12.
. Expenses include: “mileage (required to reach FAS’s job sites); insurance (required before performing any work for FAS); tools and equipment (required to perform work); cell phones (required to use FAStrack Mobile and to upload photos at job sites); and dump fees (required to complete work orders).” Opp’n at 23-24.
. At the onset, it is worth noting FAS concedes that some vendors may be deemed employees under the law: "FAS does not contend that every single potential class member would necessarily qualify as an independent contractor under the Borello test.'1 Opp’n to . MPSJ at 18; Hr'g Tr. at 12:6-7 (Dirt. No.. 203 [under seal]).
. Both parties cite to non-class member testimony to support their respective positions. While this may have been the result of uncertainty at the time of briefing, as anticipated, the class member table has clarified the relevant evidence.
. The difference in the evidence may pertain to a vendor's ability to “bid” on additional work not itemized in a work order that they discover needs to be performed at the property. There is some evidence that vendors were able to "negotiate” these rates, but the rates for work identified in the' work orders are extracted from FAS’s standard price lists.
. FAS urges that “the Packets have varied significantly over time in material ways.” Opp’n at 4 n.4. They provide examples,
such as with respect to contract termination (i.e., some packets did not contain a termination provision, others provided that the contract could be terminated at any time, and others contained a notice provision), independent contractor acknowledgments (i.e., some packets include an express acknowledgement of independent contractor status, while others do not), indemnification provisions, background check provisions, tax information, security provisions, non-exclusivity provisions, and the inclusion of job specifications within the packets.
Id.
. E.g., Hunter Dep. at 65:23-66:5 (Duckworth Decl. Ex. 2, Dkt. No. 155-3).
. E.g., Work Order (Duckworth Decl. Ex. 7, Dkt. No. 155-8); Hunter Dep. at 129:1-131:8.
. E.g., FAS Sign (Duckworth Decl. Ex. 7,
. E.g., Vendor Qualification Packet (Duckworth Decl. Ex. 17, Dkt. No. 155-18 at 16).
. E.g., Vendor Qualification Packet (Duckworth Decl. Ex. 37 (Dkt. No. 155-38 at 6).
. Plaintiffs argue that FAS’s motion is procedurally improper because it is not “directed at claims or defenses.” Opp’n at 6.1 disagree, FAS’s argument that Magdaleno is not a class member and Cohick and Ackel are independent contractors as a matter of law is equivalent to a defense to the claims against it, as to those purported class members.
. The class is defined as,
All persons who at any time from January 7, 2009 up to and through the time of judgment (the "Class Period”) (1) were designated by FAS as independent contractors; (2) personally performed property preservation work in California pursuant to FAS work orders; and (3) while working for FAS during the Class Period, did not work for any other entity more than 30 percent of the time. The class excludes persons who primarily performed rehabilitation or remodel work for FAS,
FAS does not dispute that Magdaleno personally performed property preservation work, or worked for FAS at least 70 percent of the time.
. Accordingly, plaintiffs’ argument based on California community property law is irrelevant to the issue of class membership.
. Plaintiffs separately argue that Magdalena was designated as a vendor through work orders, and FAS admitted Magdaleno’s status in its answer. But Magdaleno did not sign the VQP documents and is not in the same position as the other vendor class members. She is not a member of the class.
. In the section of plaintiffs’ opposition dedicated to the breach of contract claim, plaintiffs argue that Magdaleno', as an employee, “was entitled to overtime pay and reimbursement of business expenses from FAS[,]” independent of any written agreement. Opp’n at 8, I do not consider this argument here, as plaintiffs have elected to pursue their misclas-sifícation claims on a classwide basis. Since Magdaleno does not meet the class definition, those claims are not properly considered part of this action.
. I also agree with plaintiffs that FAS would be liable to Magdaleno "to the extent it failed to pay on a specific work order” that Magdaleno signed. Opp’n at 8.
. I do not see how FAS's pinche supports its position at all, although other sections of the decision at least relate to the topic at issue here. See Guz v. Bechtel,
. However, FAS argues that “the skill that Monster Mowers brought was not its ability to mow a lawn but rather the company’s professed ability to handle lawn care services for ‘1000 + ' properties — including all the equipment needs and logistics arising from this workload.” MSJ at 18. While this implies Co-hick may have possessed some additional management skills, this is not synonymous with the "skill required” to do the work assigned.